Skip to main content

Corner of South Milledge Avenue and Springdale St
Our answering service is on 30 minutes before we close

Myopia Management: A New Approach to Correcting Vision

Is your child grappling with nearsightedness, and is their myopia on the rise? Secure your child's vibrant and clear future through our comprehensive myopia management services.

Call Our Office to Make an Appointment
Home » Myopia Management

The Far-Reaching Impact of Nearsightedness

Child Wear Glasses for Myopia

Myopia is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Recent studies show that almost 30% of the global population is currently affected by myopia.

Moreover, researchers project that nearly half of the world’s population, around 5 billion people, will be affected by this condition by 2050.

The good news is that we can prevent children from becoming a part of this alarming trend by adopting myopia management strategies.

How do I Know if My Child Needs Myopia Management?

Short-sightedness, or myopia, is a common eye condition where the eyeball is too long. This condition makes distant objects appear blurry because light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it.

Children with nearsightedness often have difficulty seeing objects far away, such as the chalkboard in a classroom. However, they can see nearby objects with clarity and detail.

This condition typically manifests during childhood, is characterized by rapid eye growth, and tends to progress steadily or rapidly until the late teenage years.

What Are the Symptoms of Myopia?

  • Your child finds it hard to see distant objects clearly
  • Struggling to read the board in class
  • Squinting when focussing on objects far away
  • Frequent complaints about headaches and eyestrain
  • Difficulties with sports that involve small balls, such as baseball or tennis
kid with frustrated in classroom
senior man with eye problem

Myopia Risk Factors

Several factors contribute to the risk of myopia development. Genetic predisposition is evident when one or both parents are nearsighted, increasing the likelihood for their children.

Age also plays a significant role, with myopia onset before age 12 escalating the risk of severe myopia.

Daily habits, such as extended periods on digital screens and prolonged reading, can strain the eyes, elevating the risk of nearsightedness.

Myopia and Eye Diseases


As your child’s myopia advances, the risks of developing potentially severe eye conditions in the future significantly increase. The likelihood of vision loss due to glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal disease can spike by up to 10 times.

Research shows that the higher the myopia, the greater the risk. This highlights the crucial need for myopia management to halt progression and protect your child’s vision from potential serious risks.

girl writing ABCs with her mom

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia management is an advanced area of eye care designed to halt or slow your child's myopia progression. Our dedicated eye care team in Athens employs customized treatments, tailoring solutions to your child's needs.

We specialize in slowing the progression of nearsightedness through ortho-k, a non-invasive treatment that corrects vision while sleeping.

Ortho-k contact lenses are worn overnight and gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-k is particularly beneficial for children with an active lifestyle. Since patients only wear the lenses at night, there's minimal risk of loss or breakage during wear. Discover the benefits of ortho-k for your child's vision by scheduling an appointment with our experienced team.

Learn More About Ortho-K
mother and daughter doing school work together

FAQ | Understanding Myopia Management

one-circle-line

When Does Myopia (Nearsightedness) Typically Begin?


Myopia commonly starts in school-aged children and often progresses until around the age of 20. The longer it persists and worsens, the greater the risk of potential sight-threatening eye conditions later in life.

two-circle-line

Is There an Ideal Age For Myopia Management?


Initiating myopia management as early as possible is recommended, with optimal results seen in children who begin before nine.
Nevertheless, myopia control can be beneficial for children and teens of all ages.

three-circle-line

Why is Myopia Management Important?

The elongation of the myopic eye puts stress on the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. This excessive stretching heightens the vulnerability to tears, inflammation, the development of new, weak blood vessels, and scarring. These factors increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. Prioritize your child's vision with effective myopia management.